The Murray Carter® Collection - Nakiri

Based on the meticulously handcrafted custom knives of master bladesmith Murray Carter, Spyderco’s Murray Carter® Collection showcases five traditional Japanese kitchen knife patterns in three different series. Literally meaning “vegetable cutter,” this knife’s unique rectangular shape and slightly upturned edge make it the perfect tool for precisely push cutting all kinds of vegetables. The Nakiri’s blade shape also allows its length to remain consistent after years of sharpening.  

The most refined expression of this pattern is the Itamae™ Series Nakiri. Literally meaning “in front of the cutting board,” Itamae (pronounced ee-tah-my) is an extremely prestigious title reserved for highly skilled sushi chefs. Knives in this tier of the collection are expertly crafted from laminated steel consisting of an Aogami Super Blue core clad between layers of SUS410 stainless steel. This classic three-layer construction allows the outer layers to protect and support the ultra-hard carbon-steel center layer that forms the blade’s edge. Ground exceptionally thin for unparalleled cutting performance, the blades of the Itamae Series are paired with traditional wa-style (octagonal) handles made from stunning burl G-10 and highlighted with black G-10 ferrules.

The Wakiita™ Series Nakiri knife represents the second tier of the collection. Literally translated as “near the cutting board,” Wakiita (pronounced wah-kee-ee-tah) is a term used to refer to senior apprentices skilled enough to assist high-ranking chefs. The Wakiita Series captures the spirit of the journeyman chef by expressing the Nakiri design with a blade precision ground from CTS® BD1N—a high-carbon, nitrogen-enriched stainless steel that provides a superior balance of hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. It is paired with a traditional wa-style (octagonal) handle painstakingly crafted from solid black G-10.

The Minarai™ Series Nakiri knife represents the third tier of the Murray Carter collection. Meaning “to look and learn,” Minarai (pronounced mee-nah-rye) is a quintessentially Japanese way of describing the role of an apprentice. In that spirit, Minarai Series knives showcase an economical format perfectly suited to the needs and budgets of aspiring chefs. The ultra-thin blades of these knives are expertly crafted from solid CTS BD1N and mated with injection-molded polypropylene handles. The handles are molded directly onto the blade tangs and feature the traditional wa-style octagonal configuration. Durable and lightweight, they also give the knives of the Minarai Series an exceptionally lively balance in the hand.